Train connecting Jammu and Kashmir valley to start soon: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Jammu: So, guess what? The train service connecting Jammu and the Kashmir Valley is finally happening! Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Railway Minister, just announced it. This project has been a big deal, overcoming tough terrains and crazy weather.

During a recent visit to Chennai, Vaishnaw shared how proud he is of this achievement. He mentioned that this railway line has been a dream for many. It wasn’t easy, though. The engineering teams really had to work hard to make it happen.

The route is about 111 kilometers long, with a whopping 97 kilometers of tunnels and 6 kilometers of bridges. Vaishnaw pointed out that the construction faced some serious challenges due to the landscape and extreme weather. But now, everything is ready, and they’re just waiting for the final safety report.

They’ve even designed a special Vande Bharat train for this route. It’s built to handle the freezing winters, where temperatures can drop way below zero. Vaishnaw explained that they had to tweak a lot of systems to ensure the train runs smoothly in such conditions.

Recently, there was a successful speed trial on the Katra-Banihal section, which is a key part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link. This section includes the Chenab Bridge, the highest railway bridge in the world! It’s a huge step for connecting Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India, boosting tourism and the economy.

So, it looks like this train service is about to make a big difference for the people in Jammu and Kashmir, bringing them closer to the rest of the country. Exciting times ahead!